Renee Strauss For The Bride

Overall wonderful experience!!! The store was beautiful and elegant with the most fab dresses in LA or OC (and I've been everywhere!) The woman who helped me (forget her name) really knows her dresses, and was warm, friendly, and sooooooo patient with me and my mother. The entire staff was just amazing. I highly recommend this store if you are looking for the very best dresses! Pros: Everything Cons: Didn't really have any more

I am from NYC. I found Renee Strauss on Citysearch, and heard a lot about the shop from brides and different places in L.A. I felt relaxed and well taken care of here. The selection in every category was excellent. The service was excellent, as well, I spent a lot of time at the store on several occasions and found the energy high and the staff always available to help with a great attitude. I have since been back a few times with other friends that have also purchased and we are all quite satisfied. This is an established place of business. You will not be disappointed. You can also have your wedding gown preserved here after the wedding! Pros: Friendly and Professional Cons: You can expect to wait - they are always busy more

I am a bride like any other that shopped for months before finally deciding on the perfect gown. I found the bridal business interesting. Some places will not reveal designer names. Some will not see you without an appointment. Some give you the once over and that determines the service you receive. I not only pounded the pavement, but asked vendors and industry experts for their recommendations (not only for dresses, but for all aspects of the wedding). The one and ONLY name that came up repeatedly was Renee Strauss. She has by far the strongest reputation of them all. I have to go along with the majority and say it was a highly professional experience, as well as a pleasant one. We brides are a special, highly demanding breed of women. We are spending lots of money and derserve the best. You get the best here. I am hooked. This is no easy business (I do PR for a well known company) and I know what it takes to earn the reputation. You can shop here with confidence and know that if there is a glitch of any sort, they will step up to the plate and take care of it in good faith. What more can you ask for? Pros: Follow through more

I found this shop to be spot-on. They understood my style, asked the right questions and cared about my answers. I met Renee on several occasions while shopping and found her quite down-to-earth and available. The staff seems genuinely happy to be working there. No doubt this is not a place to shop on a budget. The gowns are expensive (except a limited few) and neither are the accesories. I am very happy with my experience thus far. Alterations are mid-way through and mom's dress just arrived. Bridesmaids due any day. I plan to ship them to my girls to avoid local expensive alterations. I must say on your only time around as a bride, I highly recommend this shopping experience. It is excellent. more

I had a fantastic experience at Renee Strauss! I did the search like all other brides and found this store to greatly exceed not only my expectations, but all other stores from the Valley to Costa Mesa. The personalized service is excellent. Renee is an obviously astute business person, but also provides amazing design and style input. There is no doubt she is a pro with tons of experience. I was there when the camera crew from EXTRA was filming and although we had to whisper a bit, the place was buzzing with activity and everyone was totally attentive. I highly recommend this store to everyone planning their wedding! Pros: Superb selection, Attentive attitude Cons: BUSY!!!!!! Not really a con - more ike a compliment! more

I had a great experience trying on weddings dresses Renee Strauss. Vanessa helped me and I was so impressed with her as a wedding dress consultant. This was the only bridal shop that asked me about my wedding location and sat down to hear about what I was interested in for a dress. Vanessa helped me so much and I eventually bought the dress of my dreams at Renee Strauss. I am so happy with my experience and have recommended it to friends. Actually, Renee Strauss store came as a recommendation from another friend who got her dress there and it was great to hear good things before stepping foot in the door. Kuddos to Vanessa, she really made my wedding dress shopping experience an enjoyable one. Thank you Renee Strauss\r Pros: Highly Recommended more

I had my sister (maid of honor) my mom (mother of bride) and my flower girls order dresses from Renee Strauss and it was a horrible experience. They advised us all to order dresses 2 sizes too big. When we resisted they told us to trust them and that they've been in business for 25 years and they know best. The dresses arrived and they were huge! My sister's 2nd alteration's appointment they cut too much fabric and it was skin tight and the zipper wouldn't go up. They charged my mom just shy of $1000 for her dress alteration. It was only 2 weeks before the wedding and I felt they took total advantage of her. I spoke to Renee Strauss and she told me the alterations staff are independant contractors and she doesn't control those charges. I told her that her name is on the side of the building and she needs to take responsibility. Renee Strauss raised her voice and was very unprofessional. I couldn't wait to get the dresses and leave that dingy place. She is a terrible business person and doesn't back up her claims of impeccable service. The flower girl dress arrived with a defect and instead of ordering a new one (they said they did) we ended up with the same defect dress but they tried to unsuccessfully fix. This is unacceptable and every bride should know that you get treated like this when you go to her store. Renee Strauss didn't offer any solutions and just dismissed my complaints. With less than two weeks before my wedding, it was very disappointing and very stressful. Life is too short. Find another place for all your bridal needs. Cons: Too expensive, rude service and they don't back up their product or service more

It's all over...the wedding was fantastic...THE PLATINUM SERVICE WAS EXCEPTIONAL! Best decision I could have made...The wedding took place in high heat and this staff took care of us like queens! I tell all my friends and colleagues not only to shop at Renee Strauss, but to book all the platinum services offered. You will feel like a VIP from start to finish! Thank you Renee Strauss for the Bride! Pros: Beats out the competition BY FAR! more

So far, so great! My mother found this store on CitySearch, in Seattle. Although I live here in L.A. I am pretty busy and have little time to shop, yet I want a fabulous wedding! We made our appointment and were assigned a wonderful stylist that listened and gave suggestions. I found a stunning gown and ordered it the second time in, after visiting a few other area salons (ugh!). I must say that I had to go in for several fittings which were time consuming, but the end results were truly exceptional. The attitude is so genuine and effort is so sincere. I am marrying this Sunday (Labor Day Weekend) and I have the Platinum Service booked. I will be back to let you know if it goes as smoothly as I anticipate! So far, so great! Pros: Selection, Service. Expertise Cons: This is a busy salon and waiting is not unusual more

I found Renee Strauss 1 1/2 years ago on CitySearch. My mother came in town and we shopped several stores. All the vendors I sought out referred Renee Strauss and of course, we made our appointment and went in. Our stylist was so utterly professional. The selection was impeccable. Renee Srauss was in the store and introduced herself, totally inspiring confidence. We found my dream dress and ordered it the same day. It took some months to arrive and we visited the shop on several occasions for veil, accessories and an event or two. Always we were greeted with a warmth and friendliness that made us feel at home. My dress arrived and I had four fittings. This staff is so dedicated that they wanted it just right. I appreicated their expertise. My wedding was at the Four Seasons Maui and it was a dream come true. All the wardrobe (I did not mention my bridesmaids too, wore dresses from Renee Strauss) was stunning. Five months after my wedding (yikes! I was very late!) I brought in my dress to be cleaned and preserved (they offer this service, as well). We were greeted like family or old friends. We shared our photos. The closure was magical. This is a unique business that caters to those of exceptional taste. The feeling once inside is not what you would expect from an establishment with a reputation like this. You imagine stuffy and aloof. You imagine Renee to be 75 years old. What a surprise you will have going in. And how happy you will be going out! Pros: Incredibly Consistant - Rock Solid more

I have already had my wedding gown alterations and I am waiting for my bridesmaid dresses to arrive. Although I empathize with the consumer that experienced sticker shock, I must say in defense of Renee Strauss, that I found them to be quite straight forward in their policies when both my 2 friends and I purchased from them - all on separate occasions. We were all provided with price lists for both wedding gown alterations, as well as bridesmaid dress alterations. It was clarified that the lists were guidelines only. In fact they were clear to warn that their seamstresses do not lower their standard ""task sheet"" of pricing for bridesmaid garments, and that they highly recommend taking these dresses elsewhere to alter. The name of the establishment mentioned below is in fact, who they typically recommend. I find it hard to accept a retail store of this calibre to intentionally offend a bride, especially. Perhaps she should call Renee for some closure. Pros: Highly Experienced Cons: Not inexpensive more

I have never been treated so rudely or so cruelly as I was at Renee Strauss. On the day of my appt, they could not have been nicer. I was treated like a queen and picked out a beautiful dress BUT everything changed when I went back for my first fitting. My wedding gown was actually a bridesmaids dress (I was on a budget), so when I purchased it, Renee herself showed me the list of Bridesmaid Alteration prices and told me that was what I would be charged. But when I showed up for my fitting, I was charged the complete opposite. AFTER they had unstiched my dress, leaving it in pieces, they handed me a list of charges that added up to MORE THAN THE DRESS ITSELF. When I protested, they told me I had no choice now that they had opened up my dress. I ended up at the front desk in a robe and my wedding shoes, crying my eyes out, and still couldn't get any help. Finally, one of the sales people slipped into my dressing room, handed me a card for a DIFFERENT TAILOR and told me I should go somewhere else because I was being ripped off. I finally conviced the seamstress to stitch my dress back up and had to come back three days later to pick it up. Then they wanted me to sign a form saying that they had not damaged it. When I refused, they wouldn't give me my dress (which I had already paid in full for). Finally, after I threw a fit in the middle of their prescious salon, they gave me my dress and I left, once again in tears.\r These people are crooks. To be treated so badly on what should have been the most important shopping experience of my life was inexcusable.\r And by the way, the other tailor, LUBA'S TAILORING, did a perfect job for $75. \r Renee Strauss is a horrible place. Pros: Nice At First Cons: Made Me Cry My Eyes Out TWICE more

What a terrific business this is! Of course I will rave about the staff, the service, the merchandise! There is tremendous hands-on in all aspects from the first search, to the purchase, to the alterations, to the pick-up! I was really waiting for something to fall through the cracks. It simply did not. The extreme care and attention to detail to get it all just right, is truly something I rarely, if ever, have ever experienced. Honestly, I would have concentrated on falling in love with a dress here, even if I had not, just to have the experience this store believes each and every bride should have. THE LANDMARK for all brides. I hope this review is read by many and you all have the wonderful experience I had. Pros: Everything from gowns to accessories to mom's dresses, bridesmaids & MORE! more

From the Valley to Glendale, all over Beverly Hills (including the ML store) south to the OC, this salon is TOP NOTCH. I read all reviews, took friendly suggestions and went out on my own from website leads. As busy as Renee Strauss is, they are incredibly friendly and sincerely helpful. The selection of dresses is so vast. From less expensive ($1200 range), to European Couture ($4,000 & up), the selection is remarkable. The salon is very warm and you feel like you are visiting the elegant home of your parent's friends. All the staff is professional. Several brides were in the store when I was and the energy level was high. My stylist keyed in to my personal style as well as considered my wedding type. I feel secure in recommending this wonderful store. The second floor is brimming with bridesmaid dresses and you need lots of time to figure things out. They have the top designer collections as well as the lower end for those on budgets. With an appointment there is still really high traffic, but you will find more than you thought you ever would and it will be the best shopping experience of your bridal life! Pros: Best Selection, Best Service Cons: Even with an appointment you may have to wait a bit - But it is WORTH IT! more

After shopping all day we called Renee Strauss without an appointment and they fit us in immediately. Not wanting to spend a ton of money I was deliberately avoiding Beverly Hills. We sat down with Lucie and told her what we wanted. Most stores had a lot of full skirt gowns which is not what I was lookingn for. It turns out the two dresses she picked out that I would not have were the ones I liked the best. This was the only store which actually cared about what shoes and undergarments I was going to be wearing on my wedding day. The dress was actually less then what I had planned on spending. My long day came to a wonderful end. Both my mom and best friend were extremely pleased as well. Go here first!!! more

Renee Strauss has truly beautiful and unusual wedding gowns. I bought a stunner from the European collection. My mom and mother in law both found their dresses from an exclusive collection called Liancarlo, and all my bridesmaids are wearing Watters. This was an elegant environment, but so comfortable and homey at the same time. I plan to go back to buy the MOST AMAZING VEIL that I ever saw. This I plan to buy with my Christmas money, because these items are expensive!!!!!!!!!! I highly recommend renee strauss because it is so different from any other store I shopped. Different merchandise, different feeling. Better than the rest! Pros: Unique, Specialized, Professional more

I went to Renee Strauss with my bridal party. We had an appointment and the store was busy. The welcome was really warm and friendly. We strolled around a bit tasting wedding cake (they have wedding cake some Saturdays) and checking out their bridesmaids and mom's dresses. All of us were taken care of with respect and like we were truly appreciated for just being there. This was 3 months ago. I went in yesterday to finally buy my dress. I never stopped looking but I had fallen in love when I was here the first time, not really ready to buy (NO OTHER PLACE CAME CLOSE TO THE SERVICE AND SINCERITY AT THIS PLACE - or the selection! ). There was a bride there with her mom and she had just bought a gorgeous gown from Italy, and a veil and all beautiful things. After she finished they went to their car and found it had been TOWED from the front of the store! Renee HERSELF scooped them up and took them to get their car back! Now THAT IS INCREDIBLE! I bought my dress last night. My car was in the parking lot so no problems happened to me. This place is really incredible. Their heart is in the company. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Pros: TOTALLY COMMITTED, PARKING LOT IN BACK!!! Cons: closed on Sundays! more

I LOVE this store! I first walked in with my mother and aunt and we were greeted so warmly! The store was really busy so they told us we could go upstairs and look at bridesmaid dresses while we waited for our turn. WHAT A SELECTION OF BRIDESMAID DRESSES! We could have spent all day on the second floor! While we waited I tried on some shoes and actually purchased a pair for my wedding before I even looked at dresses! We were paged to go downstairs and we had a really lovely lady assigned to us. She listened and heard what I said. She pulled what I asked for and then she asked whether she could pull some things she thought I may like. After I tried what I chose, I tried what SHE chose for me and I fell in love with a gorgeous gown that I purchased that same day! And the amazing veil from Europe, too! What a classy store and what a fantastic experience I had shopping there. The place was alive with excitement and there were many people complimenting the environment while I was there, and buying, too! Pros: Selection is very elegant and the jewelry is GORGEOUS! more

I would like to thank Renee and her staff for helping to make my wedding dress a dream come true. From the moment I walked into the bridal salon I knew after searching for over a week, in and out several bridal boutiques , this was the place I would find my dress. Renee and the staff were warm and friendly which really makes a customer feel comforted. I live in Athens and was only in the States for 2 weeks. Naturally I was worried about delivery. My dress arrived earlier then expected which put my mind at ease. I have attached a picture of my husband and I from our wedding which was held in Athens on the beach. My dress was LianCarlo, I altered it in Athens and added straps. I cannot tell you how many wonderful comments I received. I highly recommend any bride to find their dream dress at this bridal salon. Thanks to the very best store and staff I will have memories that are fantastic and will last a lifetime!\r more

Magical from beginning to end! Visiting Los Angeles from up in Northern CA., we were recomended to Renee Strauss by both the jewelry department at Saks Fifth Ave. and Neiman Marcus eveningwear. We taxi'd to the store and were greeted warmly. Our designated ""stylist"" (as they call themselves) was dynamic and friendly and KNEW HER STUFF! My wedding is in Europe and I live 400 miles away from Renee Strauss. They arranged fittings for me at my convenience and the alterations were FABULOUS! My dress was packed for hand carrying and I leave in several days. I will send photos and a thank you letter directly to the shop. Top Notch and the absolute BEST THERE IS in bridal! Pros: Worth the 400 mile trip! more